In times like these, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and stressed. There is plenty to stress about with the pandemic, the election, midterms, and classes. Stress and anxiety build up throughout the week and by the end of the week, we are about to burst. However, we can never forget the importance of mental health and being in a good mental state to start off the week.
Every Sunday, before I start my week, I like to go through a process and declutter my mind so that I feel relaxed and mentally prepared for the week to come. This process allows me to clear my mind, improve the environment around me, and makes my week seem less stressful and more structured.
1. Organize your Desk
Organizing the space around me always helps my mind feel more organized as well. I make sure that all my pens and pencils are in a holder and all my books are in their place. I also charge all devices to make sure that I have one less thing to worry about the next day. I think what the space around you looks like or feels like plays a massive role in how you feel internally. Having an organized and put together work space is a great way to ensure that your mind is at-ease for the following week.
2. Journal
Like every other person, I tend to collect my thoughts throughout the week but don’t have enough time to get them out on paper while I am scrambling to get homework done and meet the deadlines for my classes. However, taking ten minutes on a Sunday to write down my thoughts or feelings is guaranteed to make me feel less stressed out and more relaxed. Reducing the buildup in my mind always allows me to be more present, tentative, and productive the next day.
3. Plan out your week
Planning out my week every Sunday helps me stay organized and reduces stress throughout the week. I go on Laulima or Canvas (or whatever platform you may use) and write down all my assignments and due dates for all my classes. I personally like to use a planner, but I know putting things into your reminders on your phone or in your calendar on your computer also work very well for keeping track of assignments and due dates.
4. Do a Ten-minute reset
I read about doing a ten-minute reset a few weeks ago and it works like magic. A ten-minute reset basically allows you to stop worrying about everything for ten minutes and just reset your mind. To do a ten-minute reset, you turn off your phone or put it on do not disturb so you have a quite environment with no distractions. Turn on some soft, quiet music and maybe light a candle if you want. The next thing is to set a timer for ten minutes, lie down on your back, close your eyes, and focus on your breathing. During these ten minutes, you forget about whatever is bothering you or giving you anxiety. The purpose of this is to give your body and mind a small break before continuing with your day.
5. Try Yoga/meditation
Doing yoga and meditation is a great way to relax and get in the right headspace for the week. I am a beginner when it comes to yoga, so I resort to 15-20 minutes YouTube videos from yoga instructors. Doing yoga especially before bed always makes me sleep better so I can wake up refreshed and start the week off right.
Having a clean, healthy mind is essential to having a healthy life. Taking a day every now and then dedicated to mental health is one of the best ways to secure your mental health. Take time to relax and clear your head with these strategies and you will find it so much easier to manage the stress and anxieties that come throughout the week.